How Do I Apply for a Temporary Tattoo Event Permit?

If you already have a permanent establishment or a previous temporary event registered in the online system, you may skip this step and apply for the temporary event under your existing establishment's name.

1. Sign in to the online system
2. Click New Company Registration to create a new tattoo establishment in the licensing system.

3. Enter the establishment information in the required Company Profile fields:
4. Complete the basic profile details and physical address details for the company.
5. Enter the company name without any extra periods or special characters (apostrophes are okay).
6. For company type, firm/entity.
7. Under Address select “Work.”
8. Enter remaining address details. Fields with a red * are required.
   1. Unit Type has options for entering: PO BOX, APT, Unit, or Suite. 
9. At least one phone number is required.
10. Click Continue

• Name or physical address changes for a company can only be submitted by emailing env.health@dia.iowa.gov.

1. Log into the online system
2. Use the Select your facility name, organization name, or personal license" dropdown to select your registered establishment.

• You can use an existing permanent establishment record and apply under that establishment's name.
• You can use an existing temporary establishment record as long as the event names are the same.

3. Click Continue.  
   1. This selects the establishment whose permit you want to apply for.
4. Click Apply for License, Permit, or Program in the left menu.

1. Under the Program dropdown, select Tattoo Facility.
2. Under the Program Detail dropdown, select Temporary Establishments.
3. Click Continue.

1. Answer the questions under the Affirmation section.
   1. Explain in the freeform text box under any answer with a "Yes."

2. Under Tattoo Establishment Info Details, answer Yes to "I have promotional Materials and am attaching documentation."

3. Use the dropdown to select the county the temporary event building is located in.
4. Skip the Application Form Details section.

1. Click Add New Attachment

2. Use the dropdown to select what type of document you are uploading
   1. You must select Floor Plans for at least one of your attachments.
3. Add a description.
4. Click Choose File to locate your attachment and add it to the upload queue.
5. Repeat this process until you have uploaded all of your documents.
6. Click Continue and then OK.

• If you upload an incorrect document, you can delete it using the red trash can icon. 
• After clicking Continue and OK, your attachments are submitted and cannot be removed.  Contact the help desk if attachments need to be deleted.

1. Click the Number of Artists and Booths header to expand this section.

2. Enter the number of participating artists and booths.

1. Click the Temporary Establishment Event header to expand this section if it is not already expanded.

2. Click the Add button to create the event details row.
3. Complete all of the required fields for the event details. 
   1. You may need to use the scroll bar to navigate left and right to see all of the required fields.
4. Click Save.  Do not add any other rows.
5. Click the TATF Contact List header to expand that section.

7. Click Add to create a new row.
8. Use the dropdown in the first column to select the contact type. 
   1. There must be at least 1 person listed as the owner.
   2. It is okay if this is also a tattoo artist.  Include your tattoo artist permit number in the License Number field.
9. Enter the information for owner(s) and artist(s)
   1. Your artist list does not need to be final until 7 days before the temporary event.  Program staff will verify your list.
   2. Adding more artists may require additional application fees to be paid.  Please refer to the fee table on the Tattoo Establishments page.
10. Add additional rows until all event contacts are added.
11. Click Save.
12. Skip the Attachments section if you have already uploaded your attachments.
13. Click Continue and then OK on the popup.

1. Check the I agree with the terms and conditions box.

2. Click Continue and then OK on the popup.

• You have the option to pay now with a credit card or pay later by mailing in a check or money order.
  • Applications are not considered submitted until a payment is made.
  • Program staff do not receive a notification for unpaid applications.

Option 1 - Pay Online

1. Click Pay Now on the first payment screen.
2. On the second payment screen screen, click Pay Now. You will be taken to the Make a Payment screen.
3. Please review the contact information.  This section automatically populates from your My Profile page.
4. Scroll down and select your payment method

5. Enter your payment details for the "Checking or Savings" or "Credit/Debit Card" options.
   1. It is recommended to pay using a credit or debit card.

6. Click Continue and then confirm the payment.

You will receive an email confirmation of your payment.

Option 2 - Pay Later

• This is used to pay with a mailed-in check or money order.

1. Use the Pay Later Options dropdown to select Check.
2. You will be taken to the Programs page.
3. Click on Details.
4. Scroll down to the Payment section and click Print Bill.  

Your bill must be included with a mailed-in check or money order.

Mail your check or money order to:

• DIAL (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing)
  ATTN: Tattoo Program
  6200 Park Ave, Suite 100
  Des Moines, Iowa 50321

Cash cannot be accepted.

Returning to an in-progress temporary event application

1. Sign into the online licensing system.
2. Use the "Select personal license or an organization to proceed" dropdown and the tattoo establishment the event was applied under or the temporary event.  Click Continue
3. Locate the row containing your in-progress event application and click Edit. 
4. Continue from the Application Form step.  
   1. Some information may already be saved.

Error - Cannot get past the Application or Terms of Service page

• Ensure all questions and fields under the Affirmation, Tattoo Establishment Info Details, and Tattoo Establishment Info Details are answered.
• Ensure all questions and fields are added and saved under the Process Free Form Description section.
  • There must be 1 row created and saved under Temporary Establishment Event.
  • There must be at least 1 row created and saved under TATF Contact List.
• Verify you have your attachments uploaded.  You must click Upload Attachments in order to save them.  
  • At least one attachment type must be Floor Plans. 
• For additional support, contact the help desk at 855-824-4357 or env.health@dia.iowa.gov.